We’ll spend plenty of time in the weeks and months ahead talking about free agents joining new clubs, but a number of players on this year’s market may wind up signing back with their former teams.
Here’s a look at all 30 clubs and which incumbent could make the most sense to return for 2026:
Orioles: Zach Eflin, RHP
The Orioles are going to be on the hunt for a frontline starter, with Dylan Cease and Michael King seemingly leading that list. But Baltimore needs to add some depth, as well, so while Eflin won’t be the answer for the Orioles’ pitching issues, he could be a solid mid-rotation contributor.
Red Sox: Alex Bregman, 3B
Bregman’s first year in Boston went well despite injuries limiting him to 114 games, as he posted an .821 OPS with 18 homers. The Red Sox were only willing to give the third baseman a three-year deal last offseason, but now that he’s been in the clubhouse for a year, his value on and off the field could make Boston more comfortable with giving Bregman a longer contract.
Yankees: Cody Bellinger, OF/1B
Bellinger was a great fit with the Yankees, giving them a versatile impact bat who can play all over the outfield as well as at first base. New York wants to bring him back on a new deal, and the interest appears to be mutual.
Rays: Adrian Houser, RHP
Houser is the only true free agent from the 2025 Rays roster, so he’s the pick here. Houser signed a Minor League deal with the Rangers last winter but was released in late May and immediately caught on with the White Sox. Houser went 6-2 with a 2.10 ERA in 11 starts for Chicago, then was dealt to the Rays at the Trade Deadline, going 2-3 with a 4.79 ERA in 10 starts.
Blue Jays: Bo Bichette, SS
Bichette had a bounceback season in 2025, setting him up for a big contract in his first trip through free agency. Toronto’s run to the World Series showed both Bichette and the front office what the Blue Jays can accomplish, and it makes perfect sense for both sides to work out a deal and keep the dynamic duo of Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. together into the next decade.
White Sox: Martín Pérez, LHP
The southpaw missed nearly four months with an elbow issue, but he pitched well upon his return, posting a 3.75 ERA in seven starts. Pérez’s season ended two weeks early due to a left shoulder strain, so his health status could determine whether Chicago looks to bring him back to provide a veteran presence in the rotation.
Guardians: Lane Thomas, OF
The Guardians already re-signed catcher Austin Hedges for next season, taking care of one of their free agents before the offseason even began. Thomas had a frustrating season that saw him play only 39 games due to right wrist and foot issues, the latter of which required surgery in late September. Thomas’ numbers were subpar – he hit four homers with 11 RBIs and a .518 OPS – but he’s shown in the past that he can impact a lineup. A one-year deal to come back to Cleveland in an attempt to re-establish his value would make sense for both sides.
Tigers: Kyle Finnegan, RHP
Finnegan performed well after being acquired from the Nationals at the Trade Deadline, posting a 1.50 ERA in 16 appearances with the Tigers. Detroit will be looking to bolster its bullpen this winter, so bringing back Finnegan on a new deal could be part of that equation.
Royals: Mike Yastrzemski, OF
Yastrzemski was idling along in San Francisco through the first four months, hitting eight home runs with 28 RBIs and a .685 OPS in 96 games, but the Royals made a Trade Deadline deal for the 34-year-old. The move seemed to breathe new life into Yastrzemski, who hit nine homers with 18 RBIs and an .839 OPS in 50 games with Kansas City, potentially giving both sides a reason to reunite in 2026.
Twins: Christian Vázquez, C
There has already been chatter this winter about the Twins potentially trading starting catcher Ryan Jeffers, who is arbitration-eligible for the final time this offseason. If Jeffers is moved, Vázquez could be brought back as a stopgap behind the plate, though it’s possible the Twins re-sign Vázquez as their backup catcher even if Jeffers isn’t traded.
Astros: Victor Caratini, C
The Astros have said they hope to retain Caratini, who hit 12 homers with 46 RBIs and a .728 OPS in 114 games while providing solid defense behind the plate. Caratini saw time at first base and DH, as well, providing versatility off the bench.
Angels: Kenley Jansen, RHP
The veteran closer had a solid year with the Angels, posting a 2.59 ERA with 29 saves in 30 opportunities. Jansen wants to continue pitching, and unless he’s set on joining a proven contender, a return to Anaheim could be in the cards.
Athletics: Sean Newcomb, LHP
Newcomb has bounced around over the past four seasons, playing for four teams since the start of 2022. He opened the 2025 season with the Red Sox, but the Athletics acquired him in late May, adding a veteran arm to the bullpen mix. Newcomb posted a 1.75 ERA in 36 appearances, giving the Athletics 51 1/3 solid innings, though he might look for a club that would give him a chance as a starter.
Mariners: Josh Naylor, 1B
One of the Mariners’ key Trade Deadline acquisitions, Naylor thrived in Seattle, hitting nine home runs with 33 RBIs, 19 stolen bases and an .831 OPS in 54 games. He was also one of the Mariners’ key contributors during their run to the ALCS, hitting three homers with a .966 OPS in 12 postseason games.
Rangers: Tyler Mahle, RHP
Mahle missed three months with shoulder fatigue, but he pitched very well during his 16 starts in 2025, going 6-4 with a 2.18 ERA in 86 2/3 innings. Having just completed a two-year, $22 million deal that paid him $16.5 million this season (he missed the first four months of 2024 as he worked his way back from Tommy John surgery), Mahle could be an option to fill out the back end of Texas’ rotation.
Braves: Raisel Iglesias, RHP
Iglesias may have been a trade candidate this summer, but he struggled for most of the first half and carried an ERA north of 5.00 on the week of the Trade Deadline. The 35-year-old looked like his old self during the final two months, allowing only one run over his final 27 appearances (0.34 ERA) while converting all 18 of his save opportunities.
Marlins: None
The Marlins do not have any players from their 2025 roster who are eligible for free agency.
Mets: Pete Alonso, 1B
Alonso and the Mets are back in familiar territory, as the slugger returns to the open market after opting out of the final year of his contract. The club’s all-time home run leader, Alonso is a natural fit in the Mets’ lineup, though his return might depend on the length of contract he’s seeking this time around. If he’s looking for more than four years, he may have to find it elsewhere.
Phillies: J.T. Realmuto, C
There’s a case for Kyle Schwarber to be the pick here, as the Phillies want to bring the slugger back, as well. But with a weak catching market and no replacement behind the plate waiting in the wings, Philly needs to re-sign Realmuto, who is far and away the best catcher available despite his age and offensive decline.
Nationals: Josh Bell, 1B
Although Bell’s overall numbers were underwhelming – he hit 22 home runs with 63 RBIs and a .742 OPS in 140 games – the veteran produced quite well from July 1 through the end of the season, posting an .857 OPS in 68 games. Bell’s presence in the clubhouse is a plus, especially for the Nationals’ young everyday players.
Cubs: Brad Keller, RHP
Kyle Tucker is the high-profile name among the Cubs’ free agents, but the bidding war expected to take place for his services will likely result in him finding a new home. Keller had a bounceback season in 2025, posting a 2.07 ERA in 68 appearances for the Cubs, ranking in the top 5 percent of the league in both ground ball rate and hard-hit percentage.
Reds: Emilio Pagán, RHP
Pagán had an outstanding season in 2025, saving 32 games while posting a 2.88 ERA in 70 appearances for Cincinnati. The closer has said he wants to return and “run it back” with the Reds in 2026, making this a reunion ready to happen.
Brewers: Brandon Woodruff, RHP
Woodruff must decide by Nov. 18 whether to accept or reject the qualifying offer. If he accepts, he’s back in Milwaukee on a one-year, $22.025 million deal, but even if he rejects it, that won’t automatically be the end of his time with the Brewers, who would be the only team that would not have to surrender Draft-pick compensation to sign Woodruff.
Pirates: Andrew McCutchen, OF
McCutchen returned to the Pirates in 2023 and has been marginally productive, but it remains to be seen whether Pittsburgh will bring back its longtime star for a fourth season. McCutchen had a strong August (.852 OPS), but wilted in September (.551), and if he wants one last shot at winning, he may try to find a contender looking for a part-time outfielder/DH. Tommy Pham is the Pirates’ only other free agent.
Cardinals: Miles Mikolas, RHP
Mikolas is the Cardinals’ lone free agent this winter, and while he hasn’t been able to replicate his 2022 All-Star season over the past three years, he has been durable for St. Louis. It’s hardly a lock that he returns, but it’s possible.
D-backs: Jalen Beeks, LHP
Zac Gallen might be too pricey for Arizona, leaving only two other free agents from 2025: Beeks and catcher James McCann. Either (or both) could return, though Beeks proved to be a reliable arm out of the bullpen, posting a 3.77 ERA over 61 appearances. Beeks had success against both righties (.624 OPS) and lefties (.611 OPS), making him an appealing option for Arizona to retain.
Rockies: Thairo Estrada, INF
Estrada is the most likely to return among the Rockies’ three free agents, though new president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta may look to take the roster in as many new directions as possible. Injuries limited Estrada to only 39 games in 2025, and he slashed .253/.285/.370 with three home runs and 21 RBIs.
Dodgers: Miguel Rojas, INF
Rojas has been an important clubhouse veteran for the Dodgers – oh, and he hit one of the biggest home runs of 2025, too. The veteran infielder wants to return to Los Angeles, and it would be no surprise for the Dodgers to bring him back after what we saw in October.
Padres: Luis Arraez, INF/DH
The three-time batting champion had a bit of a down year by his standards – he hit .292 with a .719 OPS, but still led the NL with 181 hits – but he remains one of the best bat-to-ball hitters in the league (he ranked at the top of the league in whiff, strikeout and squared-up percentage) and fits San Diego’s lineup well. The Padres are believed to want Arraez back, making this reunion a realistic option.
Giants: Justin Verlander, RHP
The Giants would like to bring back the expected future Hall of Famer, but after winning only four games in 2025, Verlander might look for a different situation in his attempt to climb up the career wins list. Verlander started 2025 with an 0-8 record and 4.99 ERA in 16 starts, but he finished 4-3 with a 2.60 ERA over his final 13 outings.
